Importance of Ozone in Shielding Earth from UV Radiation

What is an ecosystem?

A system consisting of both living organisms and non-living factors

Which of the following is considered an abiotic component of an ecosystem?

Temperature

How do living organisms interact within an ecosystem?

They interact with each other and with non-living factors

Which of the following is an example of a living organism in an ecosystem?

Grass Signup and view all the answers

Why is maintaining a balance in nature important within an ecosystem?

To ensure the survival and well-being of all organisms within the ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

What are the physical factors that constitute abiotic components in an ecosystem?

Temperature and rainfall Signup and view all the answers

Why are enzymes specific in their action?

They have a unique structure that only fits certain substances Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of burying waste material in a pit in the school garden?

To observe changes in the waste materials over time Signup and view all the answers

Why does the text mention that we will not get any energy if we try to eat coal?

Coal is not a food source for humans Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why enzymes do not break down every substance we eat?

Specificity in enzyme-substrate interaction Signup and view all the answers

Which type of waste material is likely to change form and structure over time when buried?

Kitchen waste like spoilt food and vegetable peels Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of observing waste material at 15-day intervals after burying?

To determine if the waste has decomposed completely Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of ozone at the higher levels of the atmosphere?

Shielding the Earth's surface from UV radiation Signup and view all the answers

How is ozone formed at the higher levels of the atmosphere?

Through the action of UV radiation on oxygen (O2) molecules Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of the decrease in ozone levels in the atmosphere since the 1980s?

Synthetic chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about the impact of UV radiation on organisms?

UV radiation can cause skin cancer in human beings Signup and view all the answers

What action did the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) take in 1987 regarding CFC production?

Freezing CFC production at 1986 levels Signup and view all the answers

What is now mandatory for all manufacturing companies regarding refrigerators?

To make CFC-free refrigerators worldwide Signup and view all the answers

What does the energy flow diagram in Figure 15.4 reveal about the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

Energy diminishes progressively as it moves through trophic levels Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the energy that passes to the herbivores in an ecosystem?

It is lost and does not come back to autotrophs Signup and view all the answers

How do harmful chemicals enter our bodies through the food chain?

By being washed down into the soil or water bodies and eventually taken up by plants and animals Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant reason for water pollution, as discussed in the text?

Use of pesticides and chemicals in agriculture Signup and view all the answers

How do non-degradable chemicals affect organisms at different trophic levels?

They accumulate progressively at each trophic level Signup and view all the answers

Why do human beings tend to have a higher concentration of harmful chemicals in their bodies compared to other organisms?

Being at the top level of food chains, they accumulate chemicals present in lower trophic levels Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for introducing disposable cups on trains in the text?

To improve hygiene Signup and view all the answers

Why were kulhads (disposable cups made of clay) considered not feasible as an alternative to plastic cups according to the text?

Making kulhads on a large scale would result in soil loss Signup and view all the answers

What is one environmental concern associated with the disposal of millions of disposable cups daily, as mentioned in the text?

Contamination of groundwater sources Signup and view all the answers

In what way do disposable paper cups offer an advantage over disposable plastic cups according to the text?

Biodegradability Signup and view all the answers

How might hazardous materials from electronic items affect the environment, based on the text?

Cause pollution and harm ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

What role do producers play in an ecosystem according to the text?

Make energy from sunlight available to others Signup and view all the answers